[SocratesV]

Those that do need more RAM are probably are already using desktop options. I understand it would be nice to have more RAM by default or optional, I would also like it since I tend to keep my laptops for a long time (current one is a 2008 13'' Macbook Unibody), but there's always a reason for not doing it, either it be technical, economical or commercial. It's not a decision you take on a whim.

They introduced a major piece of hardware to the configuration and reduced size and weight. Making other changes would be increasing the risk of something going wrong. That's my take at least.

You can probably expect the specs bump within the next year. :)

If you are going for price, criticising Apple's pricing is by now a tradition. I thought we had established that Apple is not where you get more bang for your buck. You buy it for the OS and construction quality (and now the ecosystem of services).

[overcast]

Actually, you used to get pretty solid performance for the price/form factor from Apple. For instance when I purchase my Mac Pro desktop in 2008. It was a RIDICULOUSLY good deal for what you got. The Xeon processors alone were $1500 each on NewEgg the day I purchased it. They've just progressively gone less and less value, as the years have gone by.

[SocratesV]

Not doubting the price you were seeing in NewEgg, but find it hard to believe you couldn't build your own PC with the same CPU and equivalent RAM, GPU, cheaper by sourcing the parts from retail stores yourself.

Was it a case where Apple was getting an incredibly good deal on those?

[overcast]

Yes, they basically bought up the entire market on those Xeons, and that 2008 line was THE Mac Pro to buy into. I'm still using it today, zero issues! Except of course the whole Apple no longer supporting it with their Sierra OS. There were articles on it comparing sourcing yourself, and you really couldn't just throw together a workstation grade PC like this for that price.

$3000 got you 2 x 2.8ghz Quad core Xeons, up to 64GB of FB-DIMM ECC, 4 x drive bays + 2 x CD bays.

There isn't much this thing still can't handle, it's just being phased out, and eventually it won't turn on one day.